Tools, materials and connections

12 and 240-volt electric soldering irons and guns are the most popular tools for soldering wires together. Prices range from around £8 upwards.

For greater mobility, a butane-powered soldering iron doesn’t require electricity. Prices are similar to electric-powered soldering irons.

Wire strippers and cutters cost from around £5. If you have lots of wiring to strip and cut, invest in a reputable brand.

Bare connections, especially live connections, must be protected. Heat shrink requires a heat gun, whereas tape just needs cutting.

Soldering wires together without any terminals is ideal for connections that won’t need to be separated in the future.

If a wiring connection needs to be separated, there are a number of different types of connectors or terminals, which can often be bought in bulk.

Spades and piggyback connectors are some of the most popular connectors. They’re easy to separate and provide a reliable connection.

Rings and forks are more suitable for joining multiple connections together, especially earth wires.

Single and multi-plugs are one of the most professional-looking methods of connecting wires, but often more time-consuming to assemble.